Bulldogs clinch playoff spot against Sesser-Valier

Earlier in the week, Coach Kurt Simon said that the Sesser-Vailer Red Devils had played as two different teams this season, and that the Bulldogs would have to contend with the one who got off the bus for Friday night’s game.

Comment

The Carmi Times - Carmi, IL

Writer

Posted Oct. 21, 2013 at 5:30 PM

Posted Oct. 21, 2013 at 5:30 PM

Earlier in the week, Coach Kurt Simon said that the Sesser-Vailer Red Devils had played as two different teams this season, and that the Bulldogs would have to contend with the one who got off the bus for Friday night’s game.

But the Bulldogs, en route to their 42-16, playoff-clinching win, showed that they didn’t care, they were ready for whoever came to play.

The Bulldogs wasted no time with their first possession either. Chase Sailer took the snap and took off, rushing for 66 yards and an early score in the first quarter. Sailer would score again late in the first on an impressive 41-yard punt return, and the Bulldogs took a 13-0 lead into the second quarter.

CWC would score another pair of touchdowns in the second quarter, with Logan Weller finding the end zone on a nine-yard run with seven and a half minutes to go in the half, and then a Sailer pass to Clay Vaught with under a minute remaining for a nine-yard score as well. The Bulldogs took a 28-0 lead into halftime.

CWC came out after the halftime, looking to slow things down and run the clock out.

The Bulldogs scored the lone score of the third quarter, with a seven-yard touchdown late in the quarter by Brandon Pollard.

The Bulldogs then scored the first points of the fourth quarter, on a 10-yard touchdown run by Sailer. The Bulldogs then led 42-0 and the continuous clock began to run.

Sesser-Valier put up a couple late scores against the reserve team, to make the game closer than it ever really was.

Sailer moved into fifth place all-time in school history in scoring in the game as well.

Sailer led the team in rushing with 13 carries for 188 yards. Sailer also led the team in passing, going five of 12 for 44 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

Lucas Mercer led the team in receiving with three catches for 44 yards.

On defense, the Bulldogs picked up two interceptions, one by Sailer and another by Dakotah Jolley, who returned his for 28 yards.

The defense was led by Weller with seven tackles (seven solo) and Dylan Kuykendall with seven tackles (four solo).

Ray Smock and Nik Brown both picked up a pair of sacks in the game.

The Bulldog defense was huge and played another great game in the win, which was important in locking up a playoff spot. Simon was pleased with the team’s effort and knows how important the win was.

“It was huge to lock up that playoff spot tonight,” said Simon. “You really don’t want to go into that last week at 4-4 and have to win to make it. That is a lot of pressure.”

Page 2 of 2 - The Bulldogs play their final regular season game this coming Friday night on the road at CZR.